Marvel’s The Avengers plays out like a comic-book fan’s wet dream, the NBA All-Star game, and a lesson in teambuilding all at once. The ultimate escapist blockbuster, The Avengers is one of the most fun movies of the year, culminating - but not necessarily concluding - Marvel’s build up of films including Iron Man, Thor and Captain America. Written and directed by Joss Whedon with panache and wit, we are presented with many of Marvel’s most famous heroes in prime form.

After the events of the past couple Marvel films, Thor’s adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), now equipped with an energy cube called the Teseract and an army of creatures from a distant planet, is angry at his brother, and wishes to take it out primarily through attacking the weak and vulnerable planet which Thor (Chris Hemsworth) holds so dearly- Earth. After a small attack – saying small, it still results in massive chaos and destruction – Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), head of S.H.I.E.L.D., calls together the Earth’s living heroes in a special project dubbed ‘The Avengers Initiative’. From far and wide, and some even without being assisted, superheroes assemble on Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s headquarters, an aircraft carrier that can also fly and turn invisible, over the top- I know, but Whedon writes with a joking tongue-and-cheek quality that entertains audiences and breaths life into his characters.

Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Thor all gather aboard this flying aircraft carrier to receive command from Nick Fury. Fury rallies them together in attempt to save the world from Loki’s invasion. The group, while of course not getting along at first, to get it together long enough to fight it out in downtown New York against alien armies and an enormous flying metallic snake. While the special effects are very impressive, it is the human quality of the film that makes it stand out.

With such natural comedic delivery and an outstanding sense of character, Robert Downey Jr. takes most of the wittiest lines as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Luckily, Downey Jr. doesn’t get all the lines, as I can imagine how this film could have easily turned into the “Tony Stark Hour” comedy skit. Whedon’s direction and writing shows an understanding of the characters, but focuses primarily on the humor of their interactions. I mean, the Avengers consists of a man frozen for over 50 years, a demi-god from space, a billionaire in a metal suit, and a brilliant scientist who turns green when he’s angry. There’s definitely plenty of room for jokes there.

The actors all glorify their position in the roster of this film, each one bringing their character to a new level from their own individual films. This is necessary to keep the movie compelling for audiences, and Joss Whedon knows exactly when to transition to another hero in another scenario. The only newcomer is Mark Ruffalo, replacing Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. In many ways Ruffalo is the perfect fit for the role, reserved as the doctor who takes Tony Stark’s jokes politely, and when he turns green…well, lets just say that the Hulk steals what is possibly the greatest scene in the movie.

An incredibly fun film packed with action and laughs, The Avengers is unlikely to disappoint. The culmination of five years of Marvel movies, it provides fans with just what they want. Writer/director Joss Whedon manages the large number of stars at his disposal very well, and his touch can be seen in the resulting film. A movie rich with special effects, wit, humor, energy, and a surprising style, I’m left wondering what Marvel will do next and how they'll be able to top this.

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Hi! My name is Michael and I love movies. As frequently as possible I'll post a new review, either for a movie I just saw in theaters or an older one I watched. Hope you enjoy my site!